New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Exodus 10
1
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh. I have made his heart stubborn. I have also made the hearts of his officials stubborn so I can do my miraculous signs among them.
Reference
2
Then you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren how hard I was on the Egyptians. You can tell them I did great miracles among the people of Egypt. And all of you will know that I am the Lord."
Reference
Parallel theme
Joel 1:3
Deuteronomy 4:9
Psalm 44:1
References Lord
Exodus 13:14
Exodus 7:17
Ephesians 6:4
3
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh. They said to him, "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says, 'How long will you refuse to obey me? Let my people go. Then they will be able to worship me.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 21:29
Hebrews 12:25
Jeremiah 13:18
References God
1 Peter 5:6
Romans 2:4
References Lord
James 4:10
5
They will cover the ground so that it can't be seen. They will eat what little you have left after the hail. That includes every tree that is growing in your fields.
Reference
6
They will fill your houses. They will be in the homes of all of your officials and your people. Your parents and your people before them have never seen anything like it as long as they have lived here.' " Then Moses turned around and left Pharaoh.
Reference
7
Pharaoh's officials said to him, "How long will this man be a trap for us? Let the people go. Then they'll be able to worship the Lord their God. After everything that's happened, don't you realize that Egypt is destroyed?"
Reference
8
Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go. Worship the Lord your God," he said. "But just who will be going?"
Reference
References Lord
Exodus 10:24
9
Moses answered, "We'll go with our young people and old people. We'll go with our sons and daughters. We'll take our flocks and herds. We are supposed to hold a feast in the Lord's honor."
Reference
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Genesis 50:8
References Lord
Exodus 3:18
Exodus 5:1
Proverbs 3:9
Ephesians 6:4
Exodus 5:3
Exodus 13:6
Joshua 24:15
Numbers 29:12
10
Pharaoh said, "The Lord will really be with all of you if I ever let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are planning to do something bad.
Reference
11
No! I'll only allow the men to go. Then all of you can worship the Lord. After all, that's what you have been asking for." Then Pharaoh drove Moses and Aaron out of his sight.
Reference
12
The Lord said to Moses, "Reach out your hand over Egypt. Locusts will cover the land. They will eat up everything that is growing in the fields. They will eat up everything that was left by the hail."
Reference
References Lord
Exodus 7:19
13
So Moses reached his wooden staff out over Egypt. Then the Lord made an east wind blow across the land. It blew all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts.
14
They came into every part of Egypt. They settled down in every area of the country in large numbers. There had never been a plague of locusts like it before. And there will never be one like it again.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 78:46
15
The locusts covered the ground until it was black. They ate up everything that was left after the hail. They ate up everything that was growing in the fields. They ate up the fruit on the trees. There was nothing green left on any tree or plant in the whole land of Egypt.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 10:5
16
Pharaoh quickly sent for Moses and Aaron. He said, "I have sinned against the Lord your God. I've also sinned against you.
Reference
Sin
Exodus 9:27
17
Now forgive my sin one more time. Pray to the Lord your God to take this deadly plague away from me."
Reference
18
After Moses left Pharaoh, he prayed to the Lord.
19
The Lord changed the wind to a very strong west wind. The wind picked up the locusts. It blew them into the Red Sea. Not even one locust was left anywhere in Egypt.
Reference
📍 Red Sea
Parallel theme
Joel 2:20
20
But the Lord made Pharaoh's heart stubborn. And Pharaoh wouldn't let the people of Israel go.
Reference
21
The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, "Reach out your hand toward the sky. Darkness will spread over Egypt. It will be so dark that people can feel it."
Reference
Darkness
2 Peter 2:4
2 Peter 2:17
Luke 23:44
Jude 1:6
Psalm 105:28
Proverbs 4:19
Mark 15:33
Matthew 27:45
Deuteronomy 28:29
References Lord
Exodus 9:22
22
So Moses reached out his hand toward the sky. Then complete darkness covered Egypt for three days.
Reference
23
No one could see anyone else or go anywhere for three days. But all of the people of Israel had light where they lived.
Reference
24
Then Pharaoh sent for Moses. He said to him, "Go. Worship the Lord. Even your women and children can go with you. Just leave your flocks and herds behind."
Reference
References Lord
Exodus 8:28
25
But Moses said, "You must allow us to take animals to offer as sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord our God.
Reference
26
Our livestock must also go with us. We have to use some of them to worship the Lord our God. We can't leave even one animal behind. Until we get there, we won't know what we are supposed to use to worship the Lord."
28
Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get out of my sight! Make sure you don't come to see me again! If you do, you will die."
29
"I'll do just as you say," Moses replied. "I will never come to see you again."
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 11:27
Summary of Exodus 10
Exodus chapter 10 contains more confrontation between God and Pharaoh and describes the eighth and ninth plagues – locusts and darkness. God tells Moses that he had hardened the heart of Pharaoh and the hearts of his servants, to know the message, which will teach the Israelites and their children about the Lord, and that He is the LORD.
Moses and Aaron then go to Pharaoh and ask him how long he will refuse to humble himself before God. They ask again that they could let the Israelites go and that they could worship the LORD. God will bring upon Egypt a great swarm of locusts if Pharaoh does not heed them.
Locusts will cover the land and devour everything that has survived the hailstorm, including the plants and trees that have survived the hail. They will even come into the houses of Pharaoh, his servants, and all the Egyptians.
Now, the servants of Pharaoh recognize how bad the situation is. They question how long they will suffer Moses and the Israelites. They tell Pharaoh that Egypt is already badly off and suggest that he lets the Israelites go and worship their God.
Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and asks who will be going to worship the LORD. Moses replies that everyone will go: the young and the old, their sons and daughters, and their animals, and their livestock. The Israelites must have a feast to the LORD.
Pharaoh does not allow everyone to go; he accuses Moses of wanting to cause trouble. He says that only the men should go but does not heed the command of God.
Moses and Aaron depart from Pharaoh, and God tells Moses to stretch out his rod over Egypt. The wind blows across the land all through the day and the night. The locusts come in the morning, and they cover the land, devouring everything that was left from the hailstorm. Not a green plant has been left in Egypt.
Pharaoh quickly calls Moses and Aaron and accuses Moses of having sinned against the LORD and against them. He asks Moses to forgive him and that he prays to the LORD that he removes the locusts.
Moses departs from Pharaoh and prays to the LORD, and God send a wind that drives away the locusts, throwing them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust is left in Egypt.
However, Pharaoh's heart is hardened again, and he does not allow the Israelites to go.
God tells Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven, and darkness covers Egypt. It is so thick that the Egyptians cannot see one another and can hardly see their own houses for three days.
Nevertheless, the Israelites have lights in their houses. Again, this demonstrates yet again the distinction that God is making between Egypt and His people.
Pharaoh calls Moses and offers a new compromise. The Israelites may all go and worship the LORD, including their families, but they must leave their animals behind. Moses replies that they cannot do that because the animals are needed for the worship and sacrifices. They cannot know what exactly they will need until they reach their destination.
Pharaoh becomes very angry and tells Moses that he may go if he wishes because he will never see Pharaoh's face once again. Moses replies that Pharaoh has spoken correctly and will not see his father's face again. The chapter concludes with Pharaoh insisting on not releasing Israel, and the final and more severe plague about to begin.
The lesson that Exodus chapter 10 teaches is that pride and failure to obey may cause severe consequences for people, whereas God's people can rely on Him and trust that He will lead them and protect them. Pharaoh has already witnessed many signs from God, and he has shown resistance to His command.
Locusts show that the food supply of Egypt has been compromised and that the land has been devastated. The hailstorm earlier in the day has destroyed much of the vegetation, and the locusts finished it off.
Darkness is yet another sign and shows that God has taken away the power of the sun and the gods of Egypt. Moreover, the Israelites' homes are lit with light in time when others see nothing. Again, this shows that God has power, protects His people, and cares for them.
Pharaoh tries to negotiate again and again but refuses to obey God's command. He offers various compromises: only allowing the men to go or allowing the families to go, but insisting that the Israelites cannot take their animals with them. Moses replies that God's decree is for the entire nation to go and that they cannot take anything with them because it is for the sacrifices.
Pharaoh's actions are a repetition; so is the chapter. It begins where the last one ended: Pharaoh refuses to obey and is warned of a more severe judgment. When the judgment comes, he repents, asks for Moses's forgiveness, and allows the Israelites to depart. However, once the problem is over, he does not keep his word, and his stubbornness is unchanged.
God warns Moses that these events will be remembered and recounted by the Israelites and their children to show how He has brought judgment upon Egypt. It teaches that God is faithful, and the people must obey Him, but it also shows that God has power over all things, including nature, darkness and other people's power and will. Parents and families have to teach future generations about God's faithfulness.
Pride can cause people to refuse to change, and they do not recognize their faults, believing that their actions are correct. God has warned Pharaoh many times, and He has punished the people of Egypt, but Pharaoh believes that he is right. People should obey God's commands and not find ways to limit or interpret them as they wish. Repentance is not just saying the right words or claiming that one feels that something was wrong. God can protect His people, but others must also obey Him, not try to negotiate His commands, and must recognize their sins and repent of them.
God has power and control over everything, including nature, humans, light, and darkness. No person can prevent or stop what God wants. Parents have to teach their children about obedience to God and must emphasize the importance of following God's commands. Refusing to obey can cause severe consequences, such as illness or loss of precious things. Compromising is not an option, and people should not find reasons why God does not want them to do what He is asking. Like Moses, individuals should stand by God's side and obey Him even when people threaten them.
This chapter prepares the readers for the final plague and the final confrontation between Pharaoh and Moses, which will lead to the Israelites leaving Egypt.
Moses and Aaron then go to Pharaoh and ask him how long he will refuse to humble himself before God. They ask again that they could let the Israelites go and that they could worship the LORD. God will bring upon Egypt a great swarm of locusts if Pharaoh does not heed them.
Locusts will cover the land and devour everything that has survived the hailstorm, including the plants and trees that have survived the hail. They will even come into the houses of Pharaoh, his servants, and all the Egyptians.
Now, the servants of Pharaoh recognize how bad the situation is. They question how long they will suffer Moses and the Israelites. They tell Pharaoh that Egypt is already badly off and suggest that he lets the Israelites go and worship their God.
Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and asks who will be going to worship the LORD. Moses replies that everyone will go: the young and the old, their sons and daughters, and their animals, and their livestock. The Israelites must have a feast to the LORD.
Pharaoh does not allow everyone to go; he accuses Moses of wanting to cause trouble. He says that only the men should go but does not heed the command of God.
Moses and Aaron depart from Pharaoh, and God tells Moses to stretch out his rod over Egypt. The wind blows across the land all through the day and the night. The locusts come in the morning, and they cover the land, devouring everything that was left from the hailstorm. Not a green plant has been left in Egypt.
Pharaoh quickly calls Moses and Aaron and accuses Moses of having sinned against the LORD and against them. He asks Moses to forgive him and that he prays to the LORD that he removes the locusts.
Moses departs from Pharaoh and prays to the LORD, and God send a wind that drives away the locusts, throwing them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust is left in Egypt.
However, Pharaoh's heart is hardened again, and he does not allow the Israelites to go.
God tells Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven, and darkness covers Egypt. It is so thick that the Egyptians cannot see one another and can hardly see their own houses for three days.
Nevertheless, the Israelites have lights in their houses. Again, this demonstrates yet again the distinction that God is making between Egypt and His people.
Pharaoh calls Moses and offers a new compromise. The Israelites may all go and worship the LORD, including their families, but they must leave their animals behind. Moses replies that they cannot do that because the animals are needed for the worship and sacrifices. They cannot know what exactly they will need until they reach their destination.
Pharaoh becomes very angry and tells Moses that he may go if he wishes because he will never see Pharaoh's face once again. Moses replies that Pharaoh has spoken correctly and will not see his father's face again. The chapter concludes with Pharaoh insisting on not releasing Israel, and the final and more severe plague about to begin.
The lesson that Exodus chapter 10 teaches is that pride and failure to obey may cause severe consequences for people, whereas God's people can rely on Him and trust that He will lead them and protect them. Pharaoh has already witnessed many signs from God, and he has shown resistance to His command.
Locusts show that the food supply of Egypt has been compromised and that the land has been devastated. The hailstorm earlier in the day has destroyed much of the vegetation, and the locusts finished it off.
Darkness is yet another sign and shows that God has taken away the power of the sun and the gods of Egypt. Moreover, the Israelites' homes are lit with light in time when others see nothing. Again, this shows that God has power, protects His people, and cares for them.
Pharaoh tries to negotiate again and again but refuses to obey God's command. He offers various compromises: only allowing the men to go or allowing the families to go, but insisting that the Israelites cannot take their animals with them. Moses replies that God's decree is for the entire nation to go and that they cannot take anything with them because it is for the sacrifices.
Pharaoh's actions are a repetition; so is the chapter. It begins where the last one ended: Pharaoh refuses to obey and is warned of a more severe judgment. When the judgment comes, he repents, asks for Moses's forgiveness, and allows the Israelites to depart. However, once the problem is over, he does not keep his word, and his stubbornness is unchanged.
God warns Moses that these events will be remembered and recounted by the Israelites and their children to show how He has brought judgment upon Egypt. It teaches that God is faithful, and the people must obey Him, but it also shows that God has power over all things, including nature, darkness and other people's power and will. Parents and families have to teach future generations about God's faithfulness.
Pride can cause people to refuse to change, and they do not recognize their faults, believing that their actions are correct. God has warned Pharaoh many times, and He has punished the people of Egypt, but Pharaoh believes that he is right. People should obey God's commands and not find ways to limit or interpret them as they wish. Repentance is not just saying the right words or claiming that one feels that something was wrong. God can protect His people, but others must also obey Him, not try to negotiate His commands, and must recognize their sins and repent of them.
God has power and control over everything, including nature, humans, light, and darkness. No person can prevent or stop what God wants. Parents have to teach their children about obedience to God and must emphasize the importance of following God's commands. Refusing to obey can cause severe consequences, such as illness or loss of precious things. Compromising is not an option, and people should not find reasons why God does not want them to do what He is asking. Like Moses, individuals should stand by God's side and obey Him even when people threaten them.
This chapter prepares the readers for the final plague and the final confrontation between Pharaoh and Moses, which will lead to the Israelites leaving Egypt.